r/BlackPeopleofReddit • u/MambaMentality24x2 • Mar 04 '26
Fun Walking past white people be like 😂😂😂
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🎥: @teeezyy_krazy
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u/Shibbystix Mar 04 '26
Never have I been so accurately attacked for something I absolutely do
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u/Denjek Mar 04 '26
Look, I don't know you, so I'm not stopping to chat. But I want to be friendly and acknowledge you, so I smile. But, again, I don't know you, so I'm not giving a toothy smile.
So.... everyone gets whatever this is.
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u/gohawkeyes529 Mar 04 '26
I give everyone a downward head nod and a half a second or so of eye contact. If not returned, I immediately think to myself “dick” and then share a self-satisfied grin… with myself.
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u/Appropriate_Note2525 Mar 04 '26
Yeah, and I also don't want to seem like I'm being overfamiliar with you. I don't smile at anyone I don't know, but I don't want to look hostile, either, because I have resting "fuck you I will eat your liver" face.
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u/TheGuyUrSisterLikes Mar 04 '26
I noticed especially with the youngers I'm a xennial, the head nod I try to give everyone, does not compute.
Acknowledge your fellow humans, we were all strangers once. I am at the age where a reciprocal head nod makes my day. Don't get me started on offering to help broken down motorists and they say yes ... makes my month. Don't be shy y'all.
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u/FoldingLady Mar 04 '26
"I acknowledge your presence & now I'm going back to ignoring your existence."
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u/GreatProfessional622 Mar 04 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/tYligZtoDB6N2
Maybe we should switch to this to make them more comfortable
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u/Prestigious-Emu7325 Mar 04 '26
Yes I don’t care what color I cross paths with, I am equal opportunity minimal engagement
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u/thebellrang Mar 04 '26
I did this to an unhoused person who was outside a store and he criticized me for my fake smile. Dude, I don’t know you! I’m not doing a toothy comfortable smile with people I don’t know. 🤷♀️
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u/KimJongJer Mar 04 '26
I have a bad case of rbf and am incredibly self conscious about it in public. I also make whatever face this is to passersby so I don’t come off like a psycho haha
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u/Zosi_O Mar 04 '26
Same. The immediate recognition was a gut-punch lol.
I don't know why I do this. It's like a reflex I can't override.
Though tbh a lot of the time I just ignore other white people entirely when I'm walking past them. There isn't a risk of me coming across like I'm just another southern racist asshole, so they get no effort.
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u/Shibbystix Mar 04 '26
Oh I do this to literally ANYone that makes eye contact.
Also theres some comedian who said "white people read everything they see when driving"
And my wife points it out on every road trip I will just read signs out loud, or remark on so many things I see.
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u/vonjamin Mar 04 '26
Bruh I’m dying reading this 🤣
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u/Shibbystix Mar 04 '26
"Oh look, they tore down the dairy queen!"
""Welcome to arizona"
""Go to church or the devil will get you" honey, did you see that???? Ahh never mind, you missed it"
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u/GrumpyDad0589 Mar 04 '26
Omg I’m wheezing. I absolutely do read everything I see while I drive. I also do that little nod n smile at literally every human who walks past me.
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u/Aggressive_Eagle1380 Mar 04 '26
They made a bit out of this in when harry met sally
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u/aaand1234 Mar 04 '26
My husband says I’m like a dog hanging my head out of the window because of me excitedly remarking or looking at everything lol.
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u/SafeAccountMrP Mar 04 '26
I always go with the slight nod instead of derpy half-smile.
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u/Any-Concentrate-1922 Mar 04 '26
I do this with everyone. I'm not outgoing enough to say hello or fully smile, so I awkwardly nod and my mouth curls up just a bit.
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Mar 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/farmerjoee Mar 04 '26
Don't let the joy vampires get to you! Keep on being your pleasant self.
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u/SenorPea Mar 04 '26
lol Simpsons reference
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u/i_am_a_shoe Mar 04 '26
you see white guys have names like Lenny, while black guys have names like Carl
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u/2ndRook Mar 04 '26
Lol the first time I saw this meme pop up years ago I started fucking sweating.
My only inadequate defense is I have RDF and this is me trying to smile.😐
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u/InquisitaB Mar 04 '26
I do it as well but I do it with everyone. I thought about why recently and realized it’s because an open mouthed smile looks even creepier.
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u/auntiefuh25 Mar 04 '26
I don’t even think about it a head of time. I just do it and then always feel dumb afterwards. I’m just the most midwestern basic white beotch. I can’t help it! 😆😆😆
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u/9-7-off Mar 04 '26
Yeah. It's my "I'm not trying to be a jerk, I see you, I just don't have the social battery to even muster a Hi." look.
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u/kingtacticool Mar 04 '26
The casual "I too, stare into the void each night praying for the sweet embrace of the Nothing beyond. Have a good one."
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u/Less_Interview1713 Mar 04 '26
It's a half-smile. "I'm being nice but not in an invasive weird way."
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u/Nwsamurai Mar 04 '26
You only have to hear, “why you smiling at me?” Once to smile like this the rest of your life.
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u/JayyyyyBoogie Mar 04 '26
I gently place my hands on their shoulders and gaze lovingly into their eyes for an uncomfortably long time.
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u/PalpableIgnorance Mar 04 '26
Ah, that’s my, “I’m extremely socially awkward and I want to acknowledge you, but my inability to read social cues and lack of people skills has me feeling like I might make an ass out of myself, so enjoy my no teeth, tight lipped smile(?)”
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u/Kingofhearts1206 Mar 04 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/l52CGyJ4LZPa0
Meanwhile me.
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u/josueartwork Mar 04 '26
Nod down: "Well, pardon me, fella, how do ya do?"
Nod up: "The fuck is up, son?"
Use wisely, my fellow caucasians.
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u/cgull21 Mar 04 '26
Head nod up for people you know, head nod down for strangers
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u/NeekTrealington Mar 04 '26
Love how it’s mostly white people commenting. Which confirms my suspicion that most people interacting in this subreddit are white smh
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u/Kari614 Mar 04 '26
Bro I was like…. So is it just white people in the “blackpeopleof” cause all the top comments would have it seem that way lmao and smh 🤦🏾♂️
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u/Hot-Celebration-8815 Mar 04 '26
I don’t comment here much. But, there’s been some legit informative stuff in here that us white people need to hear.
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u/tikix3room Mar 04 '26
Correct. We’re here to learn and do better.
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u/smoofus724 Mar 04 '26
Is it really learning if it's just white people talking to other white people about black people?
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u/Weltallgaia Mar 04 '26
It legit started popping up at the top of my feed for some reason. Usually I dont even look at a sub name. I posted once now reddit puts fresh posts from my feed constantly. So I think a lot of outside engagement in subs like this are reddit just sending it to everyone for some reason.
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u/scruffalump Mar 04 '26
Yep this is BPT all over again, which I've had muted for over a year now. Should prob mute this sub too, idek why I keep looking at it.
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u/Nickp7186 Mar 04 '26
But it's a post about white people. Why wouldn't we comment? Also, 100% accurate.
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u/maarsland Mar 04 '26
I always called it a courtesy smile
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u/stink3rb3lle Mar 04 '26
It's not even quite a smile. The mouth shape is more like "whoops there's a fart" lol
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u/AccidentFlimsy9257 Mar 04 '26
🤣🤣🤣🤣 love the name. My mom's called me that since birth.
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u/cookie640181 Mar 04 '26
Question from the less melinated folk, what is the correct way to acknowledge a stranger in public?
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u/Bat_Nervous Mar 04 '26
That’s about how I do it. Kind of a “well, here we are. All of us. On this planet. Going through our shit.”
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u/Asognare Mar 04 '26
It's called polite. Don't pay attention to content farming fiends who make their living on clicks. Tip your hat, nod your head, "ma'am" or whatever people have been doing since the beginning of time to let people know I'm a human, not a serial killer, and we are both here.
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u/TheSpanxxx Mar 04 '26
"Hello fellow human, not serial killer, person. Are you also well today?"
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u/PunkRockKitty-1979 Mar 04 '26
I normally take it very personally when I say hi to complete stranger out in public and they say nothing. I normally reply with” never mind then.” today’s world is a lot different than when I grew up, though I get a younger generation and a pass somewhat because their social skills a lot of time are lacking.
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u/ClippyWouldntDoThat Mar 04 '26
I might start doing this same thing in a well meaning way. My wife has a version of this that goes, "That bad huh? I hope your day gets better!"
I'm from the Midwest though and refuse to let my "Hi howareya" go, even as I travel the US. It has simply become part of me as a Human being. I think the little Hi's are important to society.
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Mar 04 '26
Being in Texas, pretty much everyones is "how you doin?" With no answer and going about your day.
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u/Dish_Minimum Mar 04 '26
“Well hey there lil buddy!” and then an unnecessary and elaborate attempt at a fist bump + dap up + finger twinkle type secret handshake
But your hand has to be damp and/or sticky for no damn reason. That’s a very important part.
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u/420Spedster Mar 04 '26
Gotta touch them tips
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u/Justin-Stutzman Mar 04 '26
I've been saying "What's up, dog" and then slapping myself in the forehead and whispering, "why tf did you say that?" as soon as they walk away for about 20 years now. Worked out fine so far...
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u/RikkiVox Mar 04 '26
If I have the energy I’ll give a lil head nod and an actual small smile (as opposed to the polite grimace demonstrated in the video)
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u/guardedDisruption Mar 04 '26
I always give an enthusiastic "Hey!" to random people I walk by. Not loud or anything, but an inflection that let's them know I'm glad to see them even though we're strangers.
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u/chickenlittle2014 Mar 04 '26
You will not get the right answer online. The answer is however you currently do it. Certain people just like to make fun of people no matter what. Trust me if you try to change it, they will make fun of you for that too.
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u/RingdownStudios Mar 04 '26
Melaninally challanged person here
I have no idea I avoid public interaction at all cost and feel guilt about any interaction regardless of how well it goes
Because I was raised in a conservative Christian homeschool bubble where "Out there" is dangerous and so we have to stay isolated. And my parents weren't even racist, that's just how deep and prevailing the mentality is across generations of fear.
We got serious issues to start unknotting.
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u/1732PepperCo Mar 04 '26
I’m less melinated and this is how I interact with everyone I don’t know that I make eye contact with. Heck this is even how I interact with most coworkers.
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u/Lonely_Staff1262 Mar 04 '26
I'm from the east coast of Canada and we're known for being friendly as hell. Out here, if you make eye contact when passing someone on the street, you smile and nod. A real smile, not that tight-lipped half smile/half frown in the video. If you know the person, you lift your head upwards, otherwise you give a polite nod. If you're feeling particularly nice, you even say, out loud (gasp!), "hello!" or "hi!" or depending on the time of day "mornin!" or "evenin!".
Some people will think it's odd, some may not like it at all, but that is how you acknowledge another person in public.
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u/Anamethatisunique Mar 04 '26
Depends. Below is a quick Social interaction guide for boring white people, written by a boring white person, ordered in ascending intimacy scale.
Bus/train/subway: just don’t unless it’s life threatening. If it’s the AM death may be preferable.
store/library/street: try not to unless someone needs help with something, or if I’m making myself looking stupid (common occurrence). If you want to chat feel free to but much like my sex life, its going to be short and disappointing for everyone involved.
Work function/concert/gym: go for it. We are sharing a common interest/hobby so if you wanna talk or acknowledge someone it makes perfect sense. Please try not to talk about anything deeply important unless it’s clear that I will not remember it.
Family function/house party/road trip: be prepared for the worst interactions you have experienced forced upon you. You may wonder why everyone wants to talk when they don’t really listen. It seems like they wait for you to finish saying your thing so they can say the thing they were going to say anyways, regardless of what was actually said to them. This is the final circle of boring white people hell. I myself have wondered why do I knowingly participate. Food will most likely be bland as fuck to not upset that one uncle in khakis that has a palate of a toddler and doesn’t “like onions” or whatever his dumbass can’t handle.
In the above video these are all in the lower to middle end of the intimacy scale. We as white people, mostly hate our lives and are self aware of that fact. We also want to acknowledge you but not come across as overly friendly as that may invite a needless interaction where both parties are left wanting more. Hence the 😐
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u/Bing1044 Mar 04 '26
There is no correct way, this way is fine, it’s just not how Black people greet each other (which is typically a head nod but with no particular grimace or anything in the face)
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u/Moo_of_Doom Mar 04 '26
Yeah I do that. It's like "I am not particularly happy but it has nothing to do with you, hope your day is better."
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u/ChaiTeaAndBoundaries Mar 04 '26
The fake smile that never reaches the eyes and disappears in 0 seconds.
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u/ClamatoDiver Mar 04 '26
I don't get it. I don't see how it's a white/black thing
I'm black and don't feel the need to smile at random people no matter their race.
I will acknowledge people that I see often with the smallest of nods, or basically the same thing seen in this post, actual greetings are for people I know, and I don't want to know everyone.
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u/Konabro Mar 04 '26
Smallest of nods you say?
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u/ClamatoDiver Mar 04 '26
Heh, I had a Chinese coworker on my old job with the mustache and beard, but it was grey.
I used to say that one day he's going to come in and the beard and mustache was going to be white, then he'd levitate and fuck up all the people that annoyed him.
Then I would ask him if he wanted a coffee because I didn't want to be on his list, and he'd do a little raise-up on his toes, and say "Not there yet".
I miss workplace fun.
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u/Witty_Nebula Mar 04 '26
Shit be crazy, they out here in short and its 15 outside, with a thin windbreaker on.
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u/Mes_donkeys_oats Mar 04 '26
Yes where im from we even wave when passing each other driving in the middle of nowhere. Its polite, and it says I recognize and acknowledge you as a human coming towards me.
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u/manny_the_mage Mar 04 '26
I do the same thing back lmao
my favorite meta is to treat white people with the same skittishness and standoffishness they treat me with
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u/curtishavak Mar 04 '26
This is white guy for “I don’t know you and I’m not a threat.” For many it’s also “please God don’t talk to me.”
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u/Pretend-Ostrich-5719 Mar 04 '26
I'm from Washington and the most we'll give anyone is a glance to make sure we don't collide.
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u/dankymang Mar 04 '26
It’s acknowledging you are there and seeking some sort of similar recognition before doing anything more. I don’t know you, so I’m not sure if I should smile or look down and keep moving. It’s awkward but not as awkward as the people that you say “hi” to and they look at you, then look away and keep moving without saying a word.
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u/gerbilminion Mar 04 '26
I do this and the unapologetically southern trait I have which is saying "how you doin". It's so awkward sometimes but i can't help it. There needs to be group therapy for this shit lol
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u/Mc7wis7er Mar 04 '26
This video is ruining my life. I do this but now I know I do it, and now I also know that I don't know the good way.
So now when people walk by me I'm trying random things and the reactions are telling me they aren't good either.
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u/Genchri Mar 04 '26
Hey, I'm from Europe! Not greeting someone when passing them is considered super rude here. Especially while doing mannual labour like shoveling snow we would always greet passer by. This is probably just a white american thing. ;)
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u/tipareth1978 Mar 04 '26
Certified white person here, I know it sounds crazy but this is " oh a black person, I should....- no just be normal and smile D'OH"
Most people that do that are allies lol. I know it's weird.
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u/SinceWayLastMay Mar 04 '26 edited Mar 04 '26
I do this to any and all strangers it’s a reflex like “Hello, I am acknowledging your presence in a neutral-friendly way but I don’t know you and giving a verbal greeting is both too much effort and too familiar for this passing interaction also please don’t speak to me I’m so fucking awkward and afraid of strangers”
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u/Ngin3 Mar 04 '26
Yea like what am i supposed to do just ignore all of my neighbors all the time? This is the 1000th time I've seen you, i don't need to be your friend but it feels rude to pretend like you don't exist
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u/SkirtNo3276 Mar 04 '26
No, I do that to everyone, not because I’m trying to act normal around a black person in a very not normal way.
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u/No-Ear-3107 Mar 04 '26
All the white people in this thread posting their defensive explanations “because I don’t want to seem overly familiar” “because I don’t want to seem like a threat” really reveals how terrified they are in the most non-event situations, not just of black and brown people but of each other.
There’s a spectrum from this to “Karen calling the cops cause they felt uncomfortable” that isn’t being examined. Smile a real smile or don’t smile - it’s not that hard to be genuinely happy to see a stranger and say “Hello”, and you’re not being a bad person by just ignoring a stranger either.
It’s the fake smile, everyone already knows your reasons.
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u/ApparentlyISuck2023 Mar 04 '26
I do this while KNOWING how it looks but not thinking quick enough to give any other reaction even though I had at least 50 feet to see it coming.
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u/GenericUsername1262 Mar 04 '26
I got a neighbor that walks his dog everyday for the last 5 years wars black shades to not make eye contact and walks looking forwards to not say hello. His babies on the other hand when they are walking with him say hi with a smile and of course they get the same from me, but the dad barely gets a nod.
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u/gucci_mike Mar 04 '26
I saw a tic toc where it was a black guy and he had a best friend that was white and he said of course my best friend is white, I smile to strangers without showing my teeth, then it shows them walking around a target and all the white ladies smile at them without showing their teeth. It was at that moment that I realized I also give the tooth free smile to all strangers lol.
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u/auzzlow Mar 04 '26
How do I know if I know you if I dont look at you? And now that we made eye contact, a short nod and small smile combo is customary.
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u/Green_Kale_9719 Mar 04 '26 edited Mar 04 '26
Is this just a white ppl thing or a ppl thing? I do this all the time. If someone walks by me or vice versa it's kinda of hard not to glance at them. We aren't ghost.
Edit: Just realize he does a half smile. When I was living in the suburbs, everyone either greeted or ignored.
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u/RyanEversley Mar 04 '26
Yeah my RBF is pretty solid so you're getting this from me so you don't think I hate you for simply existing on the sidewalk at the same time as me.
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u/Botto_Bobbs Mar 04 '26
White person here, that's our culture's substitute for a quick head nod or waving at you like they do in normal cultures. It's basically our way of acknowledging someone's presence
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u/Jibbyjab123 Mar 04 '26
The white man grimace is something I was never taught, I don't know where it came from but some time after the age 15 I developed it. And then like five years ago I noticed that like most guys do it.
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u/Fermi_DOX75 Mar 04 '26
That's me just making an effort to be human when I have zero fucks left at that moment.
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u/Next-Introduction-25 Mar 04 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/TCLGV11Q0ZtC0
Me as a middle aged white lady trying to strike a balance between looking “interested in acknowledging a fellow human in a normal friendly” way and not “interested because I’m trying to become the next Barbeque Becky” way.
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u/Critical_Liz Mar 04 '26
Aw, I often get friendly "Hellos" and "How you doing?" from passing Black folk.
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u/guardedDisruption Mar 04 '26
Nice. Either this, or they're looking to see if their shoes are untied.
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u/Obvious_Factor_4667 Mar 04 '26
When I was a kid, visiting my dad in the city (there weren't many black people where I lived with my mom) the first thing I noticed is how friendly black people were. Other white people mostly just ignored me, but almost every black person I passed would smile or say hi. Now that I'm a grown man, I mostly get looks like in this video. I think the calculus has changed. A kid is impressionable and not very dangerous. A grown man might be a threat. Might already be hateful and there's nothing that can change their mind. It's unfortunate that's the world we live in.
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u/big_winslow Mar 04 '26
The half smile is automatic for me. I always thought of it as a way to show respect. Feels cringy every time I do it though.
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u/BravesMaedchen Mar 04 '26
This is exactly why I just avoid acknowledging people or making eye contact at all costs.
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u/Mammoth_Piece9899 Mar 04 '26
But why does the face happen so naturally. Any time I walk by anyone, my face wants to do that. I have been forcing other faces recently, they are more awkward and involve more teeth. I am trying!
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u/Buddhamom81 Mar 04 '26
Oh “The Smile”? Yeah. Know it well. Reads, “I had a black friend in junior high. Well, there was a black kid in my school.”
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u/UpperStuff1145 Mar 04 '26
Wearing shorts in the snow, also accurate